Disagree with the followup of rule 4. By specifically emulating others whose work you admire (as a study), you soon begin to understand their point of view, the way that they work and the limitations of their techniques. You can decide what you do and do not like about the internal workings of what they are doing. You can learn an enormous amount about any art form by diligently attempting to recreate the masters. Do it long enough and with insight, and you develop your own style.

"If only all blogs were as life-affirming and tender-hearted as that of gallerist James Danziger. Whether his focus falls on the work of an individual artist or a particular theme, The Year in Pictures is compulsive reading."